A Season for the Dead - David HewsonThis book was much different than the last Hewson I read in Book Review #6. Based in modern day Rome it was a lot like The Da Vinci Code....I say that even though I haven't read that book. It was pretty violent in places but I just 'fast forwarded' to the next paragraph when that happened. I love how Nick Costa has a passion for Caravaggio. If you want a modern day, page turner, detective story, read this.
The Passion of Artemesia - Susan Vreeland
Definitely the best book I've read all year. (Well, since May 2010 actually.) A historical fiction based on the life of one of the first female painters in Italy to be taken seriously. Her paintings are super intense - lots of people getting their heads cut off. Really well written, I'm excited to see some of her paintings in Florence!
The Lost Painting - Jonathan Harr
A good read, not totally well written but worth reading if you like Caravaggio. I took all four of these books from the library at the same time, so I was anxious to get them all read. Brad started this one and was halfway through it when my bookmark appeared near the beginning. He was choked that I was rushing him through the book. He did finish before me because.....
The Agony and the Ecstasy - Irving Stone
Holy crap this is a monster. 750 pages of historical fiction about Michelangelo. I love this book and I'm still reading it while reading new books. If you want to be absorbed in the life of an absolute master of art - read this. It's given me so much insight into his art I know I'm going to burst into tears when I see the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. And his sculptures - ridiculous. How could one person have that much talent?!
So lots of Italian content. I'm taking a break from Italy reading right now, but I might go back for more before our trip. What do you guys think - what should I read when we're in Italy??
3 comments:
I think I'm going to have to read The Passion of Artemesia! I've been reading lots of books taking place in Europe, I might as well include Italy!
I read The Passion of Artemesia years ago and really liked it too!
If you want to stay with the Italian theme I'd recommend the Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant. It's also about a female painter in Italy, and I remember really enjoying it.
Also, I loved Tina Fey's Bossypants!
The Passion of Artemesia sounds great! I'll have to add it to my list of books to read... in October or November. ;)
I'm so excited for your trip to Italy-- I'm totally living vicariously through you, so it's like *I* have new dresses and new shoes and am getting set to head off to one of the most romantic countries in the world! :) Can't wait!
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